Basically, the G5 is the new UCE engine in an electra frame - has a kickstart. The C5 model is a new design - including tinwork and frame - with the UCE - no kickstart.

To make it a little more confusing, RE produced a G5 Miitary model for the US market in 2009. Replaced in 2010 with the C5 Military... new model C5's coming out next year or so... think they'll all have a kicker...

I haven't looked REAL close, but it looks like a lot of the frame and chassis parts are NOT interchangable between the C5/G5... where a lot of the G5 stuff could be shared with the "classic" design... I'll let the experts weigh in...

Basically, the G5 is the new UCE engine in an electra frame - has a kickstart. The C5 model is a new design - including tinwork and frame - with the UCE - no kickstart.

To make it a little more confusing, RE produced a G5 Miitary model for the US market in 2009. Replaced in 2010 with the C5 Military... new model C5's coming out next year or so... think they'll all have a kicker...

I haven't looked REAL close, but it looks like a lot of the frame and chassis parts are NOT interchangable between the C5/G5... where a lot of the G5 stuff could be shared with the "classic" design... I'll let the experts weigh in...

Mike and S&S in Michigan

Looks like SOMEBODY'S been paying attention!! BRAVO! That just about says it with the exception of the wheel diameter - 18" on the C5 - the traditional 19" on the G5.

thanks for the replies. i'll be looking at the c5 when the weather clears up a bit.and i hear the olive drab green is the fastest color because it doesn't have all that reflection and shiny bits messing up the air flow.

Drab green causes significant drag - it is as dull and plodding as it looks. It's been established here, definitively, that for looks, performance, and the very definition of authentic retro Brit bike cool - black and chrome combined, as per the G5 de-luxe, is the only choice for those in the know.

Actually - If you'd want to get TECHNICAL about it ........ Peacock BLUE and chrome is the fastest ..... of course that'd be Iron Barrel fast - and you have use a sundial to verify it .... unless it's FireBalled .......

Been spending the last few weeks removing "shiny" from my new C5 Military... should be able to get pics up this weekend... 'Ol Stumpy is getting jealous from lack of attention...

Mike and S&S in Michigan

I'll show you MINE if you show me YOURS ...... I'd like to think I'm piecing together (from scratch and dent, abandoned under the workbench crap) the bike that one would EXPECT to see in military service ....... We'll see, eh? We may have TWO of the best ones in the world .....